Incentive (Infidelity Universe)

“Let him go!” I launch at Decker, yanking on his leg, unable to move him.

“Tap the floor if we have an understanding.” Decker suspends the chair behind his back, his wrists still shackled to the armrests.

“You’re hurting him!” My voice shrills, and my heartbeat roars in my ears. “Release him right now!”

Reese’s mouth gapes soundlessly, eyes bulging, and face bright red as he slams his palm on the floor, tapping frantically.

In the next breath, Decker stands and takes a step back, holding the chair behind him.

Reese grabs his throat and rolls to his side, coughing.

I clutch his shoulders and run my hands through his hair, my stomach roiling with guilt. “I’m so sorry.”

“I’m fine. It’s fine.” He laughs and falls to his back on the floor. “We read his background, Laynee. Are you really surprised?”

Decker might’ve been a trained fighter, but he seemed so calm in the restraints. Right up until Reese tried to blow him.

Turning, I find Decker sitting in the chair, arms still shackled to the armrests and legs stretched out in front of him. Completely unruffled with his zipper open and black briefs peering through.

Arrogant motherfucker. This is exactly why I don’t mess around with men like him. I provoked him. I know this, but abusers don’t always need a reason to attack. If I let this man into my house, I’ll wake up in a few months in the same position as before—hiding bruises and digging myself out of self-hatred.

“I don’t give a shit about the agreement.” I close the distance, hands shaking as I remove the cuffs. “Clearly, Infidelity doesn’t know the first thing about compatibility.” I toss the shackles. “Get out.”

He rubs his wrists, and half of his mouth lifts in a smile. “If I got a dollar every time someone told me to do that…”

“I mean it. I want you gone. This…” I wave a hand, indicating his pompous attitude. “This isn’t what I paid for.”

Rising from the chair, he prowls toward me.

I back up. “What are you doing?” I continue back-stepping, my heart rate jolting beneath that look in his eyes. “I told you to leave.”

With a long stride, he reaches me, throws me over his shoulder, and carries me to the bed.

“Put me down!” I crane my neck and find Reese retreating from the room. “Reese!”

He closes the door, shutting me in with this…this caveman! Oh my God, I’m going to kill him. Both of them.

“Decker—”

He dumps me unceremoniously on the bed. My pulse explodes, and before I can scramble away, he’s on top of me, his chest pressing against mine and his hands pinning my arms above my head.

“Get off me!” I buck beneath him, kicking and writhing and wearing myself out.

“God, you’re feisty.” He traps my legs with the weight of his.

My breath wheezes out of control, and black spots dot my vision. FuckFuckFuck. I’m going to have a panic attack.

“Shh.” He shifts my wrists to one hand and gently brushes the hair from my face. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

I’ve heard that before. So many fucking times. Sharp pain stabs through my chest and invigorates my struggling. I can’t do this. Not again. “I just watched you choke—”

“Reese touched me without permission. I neutralized him.”

“You’re touching…me…” No air. Can’t breathe. I twist my wrists in the manacle of his hand. “Let go!”

“Breathe, Laynee.” He releases my arms and braces his upper body on an elbow.

The space he put between our chests helps, but he’s still here, all around me, twice my size, and a hundred times my strength. He’s too much, too strong, clouding my senses with his hard body and masculine scent. I can’t think when he’s this close, watching me with those intelligent eyes.

“Another breath.” He strokes my hair, waiting until I obey. “Good girl. Now another.”

My breathing evens out, but I’m still angry and scared shitless. “Why are you still here?”

“Infidelity is paying me to be your companion. I signed a one-year agreement.”

“It was a mistake. You can go. I’ll call them and fix it.”

“I don’t think so.” He regards me with so much intensity I turn my head.

My bones feel heavy, and my insides clench and cramp. I hate that he scares me this much. I hate that I escape these situations only to end up right where I started. I should’ve told Decker to leave the moment he prowled into the room. But beautiful dominant men are my weakness. I’m fucking weak.

With a gentle grip on my jaw, he forces my eyes back to his. “When you restrain those men and watch them with Reese, what happens after? Do you fuck them?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Communication is the only way this will work.” He searches my eyes, probing, seeing too much. “I signed an NDA and a dozen other forms. I won’t hurt you physically, emotionally, or with any of the information you give me. You have my word.”